(Jefferson City) – State Rep. Robert Ross (R-Yukon) has co-sponsored legislation to strengthen the state’s privacy laws in response to a recently-filed lawsuit that alleges the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) has provided the personal information of Missouri citizens to out-of-state companies.

House Bill 787 would prohibit the state revenue department from scanning personal documents and transferring them to an out-of-state database. The bill also would require the department to destroy scanned copies of personal information already in its possession.

Ross also filed HB 818, which prohibits the state from creating or enabling/assisting the federal government to create or maintain a database related to firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories.

HB 787 and HB 818 were both heard in committee this week. The state operating budget now moves to the Missouri Senate for consideration.